Today's Game

ROSE BOWL - TODAY'S GAME

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: USC is playing for a share of the national title.

ABOUT MICHIGAN: The Wolverines have won six in a row and averaged 38 points during the streak. TB Chris Perry (132.4 ypg, fifth in nation, and 17 TDs) has eight 100-yard games this season. In the Wolverines' two losses, he rushed for 113 total yards and had one touchdown. He runs behind one of the nation's best offensive lines. Senior QB John Navarre (255.0 ypg, 23 TDs, nine interceptions) had his best season, but still is prone to making bad plays. The Wolverines have one of the nation's best receiving corps, headed by Braylon Edwards (75 catches, 1,031 yards, 14 TDs). Michigan is seventh nationally in total defense, thanks mostly to its excellent pass defense. The Wolverines allow 167.1 passing ypg and have given up a nation-low five TD passes. The run defense is nothing special. OLB Pierre Woods has 63 tackles and leads the Wolverines with six sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

ABOUT USC: The Trojans have won eight in a row, each by at least 20 points. USC scored at least 43 points in each of its past seven games and has averaged 44.5 points in the winning streak. Sophomore QB Matt Leinart (269.1 ypg, 35 TDs, nine picks, 63.0 completion percentage) has been superb, and the Trojans' tailback-by-committee approach (with two true freshmen and a sophomore) has produced 163.2 yards per game. Mike Williams (102.2 ypg, 87 catches, 16 TDs), a sophomore from Tampa Plant, is one of the nation's three or four best wide receivers. The front four on defense is one of the nation's three best and the main reason USC allows just 61.1 rushing yards per game (second nationally). Only two teams rushed for more than 86 yards on the Trojans. Cal, which rushed for 143, beat the Trojans. Ts Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody combined for 76 tackles, 13 sacks and 24 tackles for loss. E Kenechi Udeze was a one-man wrecking crew (51 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles). LB Lofa Tatupu, a transfer from Division I-AA Maine who is the son of former USC and NFL FB Mosi Tatupu, is the leading tackler (86) and heads a small but speedy linebacker corps. The secondary has shown it can be exploited. Yes, the Trojans have 21 interceptions, but opponents threw for 276.7 yards per game against them. Part of that, of course, is an offshoot of teams being forced to throw because they couldn't run.

THE KEY: The Trojans want to shut down Perry and force Navarre to throw. USC has 46 sacks, and as good as Michigan's offensive line is, the Trojans will get to Navarre if he has to throw 35-plus times. If Perry has a big game (say, 120-plus yards), the Wolverines have an excellent shot at the upset.

THE BUZZ: USC is trying to win its first national title in 25 seasons.